2nd body found Thursday along Portland's Eastbank Esplanade, popular Willamette River path

Police said passersby on Thursday morning discovered the body of a dead man near a drainage pipe just east of the Eastbank Esplanade between the Steel and Burnside bridges. Investigators gathered evidence early Thursday afternoon.

(David Cansler/The Oregonian)

Portland police said a woman was found dead Thursday along the Eastbank Esplande, hours after a

a short distance away on the popular Willamette River walking, running and riding path.

Officers responded just after 3:30 p.m. to an area just south of the Steel Bridge after reports of a woman on the ground not moving. Officers and responders determined she had died.

Officials haven't identified the woman nor her cause of death. They have not said whether foul play is suspected.

The esplanade will remain closed during the investigation, police said. No estimate was given for its reopening.

Officials said the woman's death does not appear connected to the earlier body found nearby by people walking along the path. Lt. Damon Simmons, Portland Fire Bureau spokesman, said the body was spotted under a drain pipe on the river's edge between the Burnside and Steel bridges at 10:17 a.m.

Police said the body was tentatively identified as belonging to a 48-year-old man but no name was given.